The Magners International Comedy Festival - Stand-up comedy has been making us Vietnam-based, English speakers split our bellies and laugh our socks off for near on five years now. Thanks to Saigon International Comedy, Stand-Up Saigon, the Hanoi Comedy Collective and more recently Rancid Comedy and a whole host of open mic nights, the comedians and promoters have been pulling out the comedic stops to get you, the unwitting punter, to laugh.

Not content with past success, throughout March a number of players on the Ho Chi Minh City comedy scene are working together to up the ante with the first installment of the Magners International Comedy Festival.

The day after the festival moves to Phatty’s for the final show, with the stage being handed over to the pros. On the podium will be Canadian, Lars Callieou, who besides touring with Joan Rivers, Jeff Foxworthy, Bob Saget and Martin Short, has got a TV and radio resumé longer than his rather sunstantial arm. Also back for the final night will be former circus performer, Martin Mor. With 25 years behind him on the stage, Martin has performed at the Hammersmith Apollo, in an Italian prison, for members of the British Royal family, and in places as far flung as Hong Kong, the US, South Africa, UAE and Singapore. He has also supported superstars with names such as Frankie Boyle, Jack Dee, Lee Evans, Johnny Vegas, Steve Coogan and even Tina Turner.

And naturally, the award-winning Matthew Giffen will return for his final, FARC-inspired hurrah. The star of BBC 3’s hit show, The Fear in the UK, and winner of the Critics Choice Award at the Perth Fringe in 2015, Matthew will be fast, frenetic and definitely furious.

The final show on Wednesday, Mar. 16 at Phatty’s (46-48 Ton That Thiep, Q1, HCMC) starts at 8pm. Entrance surcharge is VND200,000 (before Mar. 8) and VND300,000 after. For ticketing email nick@saigoninternationalcomedy.com or click on ticketbox.vn.

The Magners International Comedy Festival is supported by Saigoneer, Word Vietnam, Kingston Hotel and Jameson’s. For more info, click on comedyfest.com.sg or facebook.com/saigoninternationalcomedy